The first of local Remembrance Day events took place on November 6, 2011 with the Southwold Service at the Keystone Complex in Shedden. It is an important community commemoration of Southwold and all Canadian veterans.

Displays lining the outside of the complex included photos and memorabilia representing the efforts of several of the surrounding communities and their veterans.

Speaking to a capacity gathering, author Ted Barris who has spoken at several of the past services in Shedden noted that the gathering seems to grow each year. Barris was awarded a commendation this past summer by the Minister of Veterans Affairs for Canada. The award is traditionally presented to veterans who have contributed to the care and well-being of veterans – Barris made brief mention of the honour as being important to him because he was chosen by veterans.

Barris made a point of drawing in the young army and air cadets in attendance with a reminder that many of the vets who contributed so much were just seventeen or eighteen years old. He noted that his goal in speaking is to make us feel pride in the stories of our veterans and he went on to tell some of the stories that were part of the unfolding of the D-Day landings at Normandy. The landings took place on an 80-kilometre stretch of the Normandy Coastline. We should feel pride, said Barris, that on D-Day as part of Juno, 15,000 Canadians got further into France than anyone.

Barris also made note of the contribution of Canadian journalists. He showed iconic footage from D-Day which was shot by a Canadian and he paid tribute to the work of the Canadian Film & Photo Unit.

The service continued with commemorations at the memorial site. A Silver Cross Family wreath was laid by Grace Harris, sister-in-law of Private Ronald R. Harris who fought with the Perth Regiment and was wounded in action and died in Italy in 1944 at the age of 24.

Aerial salutes over the memorial site, The Lost Airman Salute by Harvard Association and C.O.P.A Flight 75 paid tribute to all of Southwold Township’s departed veterans.

Ted Barris includes, on his website, an account of his talk in Shedden, and describes the inspiration he felt at talking with some of the young cadets there. More….

Find some photos from the Southwold Remembers service in the slideshow below.